Offensive struggles hurt Hens against Pawtucket
6/28/2013PAWTUCKET, R.I. — The Mud Hens managed just seven hits and hit into three crippling double plays to suffer their eighth shutout loss this season, losing 3-0 to Pawtucket on Thursday.
The Hens have lost six straight games against Pawtucket and nine of their last 11 overall.
The Hens threatened to score in the third off Pawtucket starter Rubby De La Rosa as Ramon Cabrera singled with one out, then raced to third on a double by Argenis Diaz. But Ben Guez lined out to first, and Cabrera was doubled off third to end the threat.
Another double play kept De La Rosa out of trouble in the fifth, when Mike Cervenak and Danny Worth led off with singles. Cabrera bounced into a double play, and De La Rosa struck out Diaz to strand Cervenak at third.
Then in the ninth Pawtucket closer Anthony Carter walked Nick Castellanos and Danny Dorn to put two runners on with one out, but Cervenak hit into a game-ending double play.
Meanwhile left-hander Kyle Lobstein, making his first start for the Mud Hens since his promotion from Double-A Erie, pitched well, although he got into trouble in the third as the Red Sox scored twice.
With one out, Jackie Bradley, Jr., tripled into the right-field corner, then scored on a bloop double by Drew Sutton. Mitch Maier followed with a single up the middle that brought home Sutton.
Toledo’s Argenis Diaz singled to open the contest, extending his hit streak to 17 consecutive games.
NOTES: The Tigers announced that pitcher Jose Valverde has cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Toledo. Valverde was designated for assignment after posting an 0-1 record and nine saves with a 5.59 ERA in 20 appearances with Detroit.
The team did not know when Valverde would join the Hens, who play at Pawtucket today at 7:05 p.m. before beginning a four-game series at Lehigh Valley.